Supporters of a leading aspirant in the ongoing Edo South All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, have raised allegations of attempts to disrupt the electoral process. They claim that suspected political thugs have taken over strategic locations across the district.
The group alleged that hundreds of hoodlums were deployed to create tension and unleash violence against supporters and loyalists of Ize-Iyamu as voting continued on Monday. According to sources, the situation has heightened anxiety within Edo South, with the alleged perpetrators believed to be loyalists of another aspirant contesting for the Edo South senatorial ticket under the APC platform.
Speaking with journalists in Benin City, a supporter of Ize-Iyamu, Mr. Chris Azebamwen, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene to ensure peace, fairness, and due process in the conduct of the primary election. “We trust that your timely intervention will preserve the integrity of the process and protect the lives of our members,” Azebamwen said.
He expressed concern over what he described as a growing atmosphere of intimidation and tension around what should ordinarily be a democratic internal party process. “What should ordinarily be an internal democratic contest is gradually being overshadowed by intimidation, threats, and unnecessary tension,” he said.
Azebamwen further alleged that individuals operating under the guise of the Edo State Security Network (ESN) were being used to intimidate supporters of Pastor Ize-Iyamu for participating in the exercise. “Reports from across the district indicate that hoodlums and political thugs operating under the guise of the Edo State Security Network are being used to harass and intimidate supporters of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu for simply participating in a legitimate party process. This is unfortunate and inconsistent with the democratic ideals of the APC and the Renewed Hope agenda under your leadership,” he added.
The group, however, urged supporters of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to remain peaceful and avoid any form of confrontation. It advised members not to engage in violence under any circumstance and to prioritize their safety if the process becomes volatile. “No political ambition is worth the life of any Edo son or daughter,” Azebamwen said.
He warned that if the process deteriorates further, it could undermine the credibility of the APC and erode the confidence of party members. “We will not be bullied out of the party or our home. All threats and warnings for us to withdraw will not work. Our commitment is to our people and to the APC we helped build from 2013. We are not leaving the party, and we are not leaving our home. We are pursuing our aspiration with courage, conviction, and principle within the rules of the party and on the democratic field of ideas and votes,” he stated.
